Travel Page

Hello Welcome to Moira Romer's 2011 Travel Page.

The last two years I haven't been very far from home and now I have turned another page and am off again in 2011!Thanks for calling in here! I will try to make it interesting and hope that you will contact me sometimes on here.

Diary Entries

4th May evening :I am writing this having spent my last few days doing 'here and there' things. I have now packed my bags and am due to catch my plane at 9.15am tomorrow morning from Perth to London. I have an 8 hour wait in Bankok Airport so I will write up the blog for the missing days when I get there. C U later!

Drove over to Rae's for 11am. Did a little bit of teaching on the computer to show her how to put a picture into a document. Rae goes to a 'writing group' and wanted to add a picture of a rabbit to her latest piece.

Then I swept the patio and we threw away her old carpet and laid the new carpet which we had bought the other day. It looks very nice and bright and smart! We then had some lunch. Rae makes lovely leek and potato soup!

After lunch she taught me how to make her little material flowers (Fleur de Rae) and I managed to make two! I love them - quite fiddly to do but they are so pretty.

I drove back to the hotel and had a cuppa and a little rest, then later, I picked Rae up and we went out to South Perth at sunset to walk along the foreshore for a while. Then we had a lovely Chinese meal in a nice restaurant there.

Another lovely day with about 25 degrees blue sky with cotton wool clouds.

Picked Rae up at 10.30 and drove to Joondalup to meet up with my cousin George and family. We arrived after one hour on the Freeway north.

We all went to Burn's beach for lunch at the restaurant where we went a couple of years ago. It was a lovely day so we went for a short walk along the path overlooking the beach, watched the waves, smelt the sea! Then George drove us back to their house and we had a cup of tea while we looked at family photos and discussed family trees etc.

Rae and I left them at about 5.00pm and drove back to Perth. I dropped her back and went to the hotel.

Lovely day again today  mid 20s temperatureDecided to drive the car to South Perth and park it by the foreshore and catch a river ferry crossing over to the City. It cost 70 cents about 50p return. I caught the Blue Cat bus which is one of 3 cat busses which is free  hop on hop off. I got off in the main shopping area and wandered and window shopped. I like the atmosphere. However I noticed that there were masses of sales going on and a lot of shops closed. There were street performers doing their thing and loads of people watching. There was one chap who stood on the shoulders of 2 men then did a knife juggling act another guy was trying to sing! I found my favourite place to have lunch but it had closed down ☹ so I found another nice little place and sat and had a cheese and salad wrap and a coffee. I went in search of the shoe shop where I bought the best shoes in the world about 4 years ago. They were so comfortable white leather walking shoes and I could even put them in the washing machine!  I had to throw them away about a month ago as they had really had it The shop was still there and still had the same brand so I bought another pair and got a discount! I shall wear them to travel home in. It was about 2.30 pm so I decided I had had enough and went to the bus stop. Bus was just arriving. They run every 15 minutes at the weekend and weekdays every 7 mins. So I hopped on, and went round the route and back to the ferry port.On the journey back, a rather talkative lady came to sit next to me! I was very polite and slightly careful as I dont like to be bombarded but she seemed very nice and we chatted during the 10 minute ferry crossing back to South Perth where I think she was sort of hanging on in case I offered her a lift. (I didnt!) Nice to have the car here. I drove back to the hotel and had a lovely cup of tea and watched the sailing yachts on the river across the way from my balcony whilst typing this.Going to have supper with Rae this evening and to show her my photos on the computer which we havent yet had time for!

I decided to go to Fremantle and look around the market and shops for the morning. So I took the freeway there, parked the car and wandered through the market stalls. In 2 years nothing much has changed and I bought a lovely summer hat and a few little things.

It was quite hot and I actually needed the aircon in the car. I wanted to get back for lunch to the hotel and made myself a tomato salad and to watch the waking up of the UK in London and for the arrival of the wedding guests. It all began at 2.30 pm Western Australia time. At our 4.30 I drove over to Rae's and we watched all the rest of the day until 8.30 pm when the Balcony scene had finished and I tnen drove back to the hotel. It has been a lovely day. So pleased that it all worked out so well in London and that the weather stayed dry.

April 28th ThursdayToday it is cooler than it has been but it is sunny and there are some amazing clouds in the sky, some are dark but most are like cotton wool balls. Rae wants to take me to go and see the reservoir which feeds the Perth and surrounding areas with drinking water. It is about an hours drive away to the east and up in the hills of the Darling Range. It is called the Mundaring Weir and was built between 1898 and 1902 to store water to be piped to the Goldfields and out as far as Kalgourlie. The start of the Golden Pipeline is here. It is an extraordinary feat of engineering and the weir is still functioning and the reservoir has a capacity to store 4,655 million gallons of water. However, because of the lack of rainfall in the area the water level has dropped considerably. We arrived at about mid-day and went to the Mundaring Hotel to have a lovely lunch. This is an old original pub and was apparently used as a school while the building of the weir was underway. We walked around inside before having lunch. It was the place where David Helfgott, the pianist who was depicted in the film Shine, used to play to customers. There are several pictures of him around the walls. It was like going back into old England in Victorian times. Our lunch was an entertaining time with green parrots trying to get our left-overs before they were left-overs! Hand feeding them on the table with pieces of toast and then they picked up the chicken! Crazy birds (photos) Rae says they are called 28 birds. We laughed.After lunch we went round to the old pumping station to see a display of the old machinery and an exhibition type museum. It all belongs to the National Trust. All the area around the reservoir is now very highly restricted to keep the water unpolluted. It is an enormous lake but the area really needs more rain to fill it up.On our way back we stopped at an a viewpoint at the top of the Range and looked down over Perth. The City is a tiny spot on the landscape in the area round the Swan River and the Canning River which seems to be filling up with buildings and industry along with the residential areas all along to the coast. We sat and had a cup of tea from a flask that Rae had brought and then made our way down. We arrived back in Perth, dropped in to the supermarket and Rae bought food for our supper and for tomorrow evening. I left her for a couple of hours and then went back to the house to watch a programme on TV  building up to the Royal Wedding tomorrow and had a light supper together.

April 27th WednesdayLast night we watched a couple of programmes on tv about William and Kate and the wedding. Everyone is buzzing about it here. So much speculation about the dress, the cake and all the getting ready stuff  most of it was very interesting.

It started raining last evening. It was the first proper rain since January and it has kept on this morning.I am going round to Raes for lunch. This morning she is having her choir practice. I started sewing the Union Flag! I cut up the Aussie flag ( hope nobody finds out!! ) While lunch was cooking we planted the little petunias we bought yesterday in the baskets and watered them in. Raes front yard will look lovely.

After lunch went to the local post office to post Jons birthday present and I posted him a phone charger and an adaptor for his phone and camera which I had left behind in Hepburn for him to use at the wildlife shelter. We called in to a lovely health food shop and then returned to Raes village.

The 'village' has about 160 units and are for those who are about 55 years old. They are bungalows with one or two bedrooms which are self-contained and most have a small garden. Some have garages and a parking space for visitors. They are set in the grounds with well kept gardens, a pond, a waterfall and a man-made river running through. There is a recreation centre with facilities for social events, and meetings, computer availability, snooker room, and a library. There is also a hostel in the grounds for those who are unable to cope on their own any more and this means they can stay in their own environment and still see their friends in the village and be looked after.

When we got back from the shops we walked down to the recreation centre at to have a look around and see if there were any interesting books in the library there for me to read during my next few days. I didnt find one so we then went round to meet one of Raes friends who lives in the village too. She is very talented and makes amazing patchwork things and beautiful embroidered cloths. We stayed for a cup of tea and had a lovely chat with her. Then it began to rain again and we decided to have an evening at home. I came back to the hotel and have just cooked myself a little supper.It is still raining! They need so much here to make it up. It has been so hot this summer and somebody said that they had had 50 days in a row when the temperature had not dropped below 30 degrees. It was about 24 degrees today which must seem cool.

Great night sleep and woke at about 8.00am, l listened to the radio for a bit and then got up and had breakfast. I phoned George (cousin who lives in Joondalup) and arranged to go there next Sunday for the day with Rae.

Then I felt as though I wanted to give Rae a hand at home with a few little jobs. I gave her a call and she has lined up a few tasks for me! I drove over to her house and we had elevenses together then I took on the task of cleaning up in her garage which was a bit dusty and had a few leaves which had blown in. Also cleaned her shelves, cupboard top and roller door. The temperature crept up and the sky was beautiful bright blue. Rae told her neighbour (jokingly) that I was earning my lunch!!!! (I made a mental note!!) and staggered out of the dusty garage, sweating and wiping my brow! (that is for you Rae when you read this!!!!) Then we filled up some baskets with potting compost for the patio and Rae sowed some spinach seeds.We had hot sweetcorn, salad, toast and tahini, finishing with a nice cup of tea for our lunch and decided to go to the shopping centre to see if it was open. Its called Garden City and is huge. Comparable possibly with the Guildford or Reading one. I bought a suitcase with wheels for my return journey and will put my sports bag in main luggage as it is not on wheels. One or two other items and a couple of postcards which I intend to post tomorrow. Rae wanted a couple of things and we then went back to the car feeling as though we had done well!Then we drove round to a massive warehouse like shop  B&Q type thing but much bigger and bought some new carpet runner for her front patio and some petunias to put in the baskets.It will look very smart!

After all that we both felt quite ready to go home and got back at 5. I came back to the hotel it is now 6.00pm and the sunset is just happened. Its a bit cloudy now looking over the Swan River but the temperature is still in the 20s and I am sitting on the balcony overlooking the river. I find it is a little noisy here because the main freeway runs right in front of the hotel. The railway runs in between the carriageways too, and at this time it is very busy. I am going to go and cook myself an omelette for my supper and then I will drive back to Raes to watch her tv as there is a programme on tonight about the Royals and about William and Kate. I dont get that tv channel in the hotel.

I bought a large Aussie flag today which I am going to cut the Union Jack out of - and we are going to hang it up on Raes front patio on Friday for the Wedding Day!! (lol) Will end here for the day as I am being bitten by mozzies.

Monday 25th April Anzac Day ( In Australia and NewZealand Remembrance)

Early morning, then went back to sleep until 8.30! got up and had breakfast  cereal and toast  watched the Anzac ceremony going on on tv and then got dressed, sorted out some stuff and then put a washing load on. In my apartment I have two bedrooms, two bathrooms  one has an enormous spa bath, shower and the other is a walk in shower and has a washing machine and tumble dryer in it. I havent used the spa yet (havent really had time!!) There is a large long room with dining area and lounge with 2 sofas and a television. Then the balcony goes out from French doors from this. The kitchen is small and compact with fridge/freezer, cooker, hob, microwave, and dishwasher. All the doors and windows have a mesh inner doors/windows so that insects cant get in.When I was in Hepburn last week there were so many flies about still, but here in Perth I havent seen very many.I drove over to Rae at about midday and then took her to a lovely spot on the Canning River where we found a favourite café. There were lots of people about as it is bank holiday here but I found a parking space and we sat outside at the café (under shades) by the sandy grassy bank on the shore and had a Caesar salad which was lush! There were lots of families out with picnics and barbeque things. There are community barbeques which anybody can use for a dollar! You just put the dollar in, it heats up, put your food on to cook and when you are done you clean up and off you go!!... obviously nobody is allowed to light fires because of the dryness and the fire risk.After lunch we drove round to Applecross (suburb of Perth) where Rae and family had lived and walked along around an area which used to be a hospital but is now residential. There is a lovely retaurant there, a café and amazing childrens play area. The view from there over the Swan River is breathtaking. You look across to South Perth and the City beyond. ( photos)We returned to Como and had a cup of tea and a half hot cross bun and I left to go back to the hotel. We are both in need of some quiet space sometimes which is great. Now the sun has gone down and I have just spoken on Skype again with Lesley! Amazing that we can speak in real time and see each other being opposite sides of the world.I have put my washing in the tumble dryer and am going to go to Raes for supper and there are a couple of tv programmes on tonight that I cant get on my hotel tv we will watch it together. It is so nice to be so nearby. It is only five minutes drive away. Another lovely bright sunny day about 27 I would think.

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From Lucy and Ian XHi Moira...thinking of you today and wondering if you were watching the wedding ! Now have confirmation via your blog that it's almost as big over there as here in dear ol' GB :) I'm happy now that it all went smoothly, the weather was kind and it seems they are very much in love! Please give our love to Rae from all of us.... and safe travelling to you on your next leg X

Response: hello - yes it is almost bigger news here I think! I made a Union Flag and it is on Rae's front gate blowing in the breeze. We watched BBC broadcast.

From Chris & PipHi Mum, looks and sounds like youre having a great time!! Enjoy yourself and we will see you soon. Lots of love Chris & Pip XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Response: hope all well with you two. Luv ya xx

From Chris RoyleHI Moira, expect you will be back to the UK soon. Luckily my friend Nelson here has a computer. I am on the tenth floor of an apartment block a few streets in from Copacaban Beach. We spent the weekend down the coast in a place called Mangaratiba, which was amazing. I still ahve to take the cable car up to the top of Corcovado (the mountain with Christ the Redeemer on top) and will try to rule out images of the James Bond film, Moonraker. Next weekend we might head up the coast to a place called Cabo Frio. Amazing thunderstorm last night and a few of the suburbs are flooded. Meeting another friend this afternoon called Eloisa and will get to see a bit of old Rio. couple ofdf mishaps so far nothing serious. I think Rio has a reputation it doesn´t deserve.Have a great flight back....Good to see some of the photos from our Barcelona trip! talk later. Thinking of going to Greece in September so I need some advice...Love,(cousin) Chris XX

Response: great stuff Chris, you should do a blog on here too! sounds fun in Rio - talk soon xx

From GwennethHappy Easter Moira! G xxxx

Response: thank you - Happy Easter to you both - hugs xxx

From GwennethStill love the blog. It helps get me through the night quite often. Had a visit from Des Foote (Beenham with Becky) yesterday. Still no sign of Rita. Shame. Mary sends her love. And so do I. G xxx

Response: great that you are following! I think of you often - love to Mary too x

From BexHi Mummy M, Thanks so much for calling, lovely to hear from you when you're so far away! Great blog, sounds like a wonderful experience. Hope you have a lovely long warm relaxing holiday in Perth. Thinking of you, lots and lots of love. Bex xxxxxxxxxx

Response: great to talk Bex - thanks I know I will like being in Perth again. I have 2 whole weeks! luv ya xxxx

From Love the updates. I'm right there with you, though not enjoying the cold! Enjoy Perth. G xx

Response: Sad to leave the shelter life but now I need a holiday in the warm side of Australia!

From Chris & PipHi Mum, hope youre having a great time!!! Ill be checking your updates every couple of days so remember, DONT KICK A QUOKKA!!!! Say hi and send our love to Rae and family from us (three!) Love you Mum, see you soon XXXXX

Response: Thanks! no quokkas in Hepburn!!! luv you! xx

From lesleyDo hope you got off on time and were given a nice Thailunch (not too hot !) after take off. As I said on 'phone, we will be thinking of you - have a wonderful time....xxx

Response: Thanks! good food on the plane! xx

From LouiseHi Moira! Just found out from Claire (Monday 11th) that you are off on your Australian adventures again today. Most interested in your trip to Barcelona, and am looking forward so much to "following you around" Oz! Have a wonderful time. Much love, Louise xx